Youngsters shoot for G1 Glory
Awapuni G1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., NZ$225,000, 1400m
Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) was a gallant winner of the G1 Sistema S., and will be hard to be denied a second top-flight title.
His class is matched by his toughness and the distance will pose no problems for the Jamie Richards-trained juvenile, who has a handy gate to give rider Opie Bosson all the options.
Aalaalune (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) is yet to win a race, but she’s a talent and finished powerfully in the Sistema to take second. The extra trip will be strongly in her favour.
It will also be ideal for Holy Mongolemperor (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}). He finished at a rate of knots for second behind race rival Equinox (Exceed And Excel), who has won two of his three starts, at Trentham.
Holy Mongolemperor is prepared by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, who hold a strong hand with the smart filly Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) involved.
Any improvement in the track will help the cause of Bavella (Snitzel) and The Fugitive (Wanted) beat Qiji Spirit (Charm Spirit {Ire}) on debut and this pair are decent hopes again.
Saint chases Cup
Awapuni G3 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup, NZ$100,000, 2000m
As a Group 1 winner St Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is well-placed here and his recent form is good enough to suggest he’s going to take some pegging back.
The accomplished front-runner has finished sixth in his last two runs in top company and this is a significant step back in class.
Authentic Paddy (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit {USA}) belies his age and the 9-year-old is capable of filling a place while Giovanni Canaletto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was a close last-start third and on a bigger track he looks a threat. So does Dolcetta (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who will appreciate the distance.
Classic in Spring's step
Awapuni G3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic, NZ$70,000, 2000m
Spring Delight (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has posted two easy wins from her last three starts and seems sure to be competitive against the colts and geldings.
In between success, she was unplaced in the G3 Sunline Vase but was making steady ground after getting a long way back in the running. Stablemate The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) had an interrupted run in the G1 New Zealand Derby and can be a player here.
Langkawi (Helmet) was fifth in the G2 Wellington Guineas and would have finished closer if he got clear air sooner and Lord Arthur (Camelot {GB}), a half-brother to Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), has been good against older opposition when in the money in his last two appearances.
Magnum drops in grade
Awapuni Listed Bramco & Granite Marble Flying H., NZ$50,000, 1400m
Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has finished out of the money in Group 1 company at his last two starts and in this grade he can give much more of a sight. Calligraphy (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) was fourth when resuming last start and will be all the better for the run.
Beefeater (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) falls into the same category following his run for third at Trentham while Monrecour (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) looms as a strong each-way chance. She was a sound last-start sixth in the G3 Cuddle S. after racing three wide without cover.
Guineas highlights Bendigo standalone
Bendigo Listed Jayco Bendigo Guineas, $150,000, 1400m
Blinder (Snitzel) has been racing well against older opposition and this presents him with a nice opportunity for black type. Among the hardest to toll looks to be Outrageous (All Too Hard), who was impressive when leading all the way to win in his campaign opener at Flemington.
Saccharo (Magnus), fifth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas last preparation, is a smart type and with two runs under his belt should be at his peak while East Indiaman (Hinchinbrook) is holding his form well.
Plein sailing in Mile
Bendigo Listed bet365 Official Price Guarantee Golden Mile, $150,000, 1600m
Plein Ciel (Ger) (Mamool {Ire}) was a handy sixth in the Listed March S. and the move up to a mile will be ideal, he has won three of his four at the trip. Lite’n My Veins (Henrythenavigator {Ire}) will also be improved for his first-up outing while Violate (Sebring) is tough and capable of impacting under 60kg.
Four straight for Jedda?
Ascot G3 City of Belmont WS Oaks, $250,000, 2400m
Jeddafair (Trade Fair {GB}) heads a three-pronged attack for trainer Adam Durrant and she will be shooting for her fourth consecutive victory.
She won the Listed Natasha S. last time out and ran the 2000 metres out strongly enough to suggest the extra distance may not halt her impressive run of form.
Grant and Alana Williams also have three in the race and it may pay to stay with Adornement (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). She missed last time out, but her prior form was excellent. Lady Sass (Unencumbered) won on the track two runs back and was a solid third last time out behind McKenzie Brooke (Blackfriars) and they both look strong place chances.
Pair renews rivalry in Melvista
Ascot Listed Schweppes Melvista S., $100,000 2200m
Platoon (Playing God) had the measure of Regal Order (Pierro) when they clashed last time out in the Listed JC Roberts S. and this pair can provide another quinella.
Apparition (My Admiration) is holding his form well with consecutive runner-up finishes and Blackwood River (Blackfriars) was third in the Roberts S. so is an obvious place contender again.
Meteor aims for black type
Morphettville Listed Fleurieu Milk Laelia S., $100,000, 1600m
Yulong Meteor (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was a solid fifth in the G3 Angus Armanasco S. and that’s a form line that puts her right in the hunt. Nasaayin (Redoute’s Choice) opened her autumn campaign with success at Sandown and she can go close again with early luck from a wide gate.
So We Are (So You Think {NZ}) from the in-form Phillip Stokes stable is in grand form with a pair of wins and a last-start placing this preparation and Kenyan Wonder (Zoustar) faces a much easier task here after running in the G3 Kewney S. without success earlier this month.
Someone to follow
Morphettville Listed Heineken 3 Manihi Classic, $100,000, 1000m
I Am Someone (I Am Invincible) won consecutive lower grade events in the summer and following a break finished third in the Listed Bob Hoysted at Flemington. Despatch (Written Tycoon) won a couple of trials before successfully resuming and there’s no reason to think he won’t be in the frame again.
Casino Wizard (Any Given Saturday {USA}) is an improver off the back of his sixth in the Listed Matrice S. and Oamaru Owl (Oamaru Force) has won his last two in good enough style to suggest black type isn’t beyond him.
